is quite similar. >> governor romney did a good thing, working with democrats in the state to set up what is essentially the identical model. it hasn't destroyed jobs. >> reporter: there were a few fireworks. and fewer surprises. the candidates were very deliberate outlining their bullet points on specific policies, but at the same time, neither of them really went after each other on them. it was more like they were trying to go through a checklist. not really connecting with the voters. rob, paula. >> all right. now, obviously, the president's campaign is going to spin this. what will we be hearing from them? >> well, they were trying to focus on mitt romney, the word you kept hearing from the president's surrogates was mitt romney was testy and that he didn't really counter the president's arguments and go after the president's record effectively. but this is the way it looked in the spin room. the romney campaign had over a dozen people in there, they walked in before the debate had even ended, ready to start talking victory. the president's team didn't arrive for 10 to 15 minute